Authors & Referees

Information for Referees

Revised May 1, 2012

Information for Referees

1. Refereeing Policy
1. When assessing the manuscript the following points should be considered; the importance, significance, originality, whether the work will support the development of future research and be applicable or raise interest to non-specialists. Also, the possibility of manuscript fragmentation, and if the references quoted are appropriate and accordance with the research reported. Along with all the criteria above, the level and quality of English should also be assessed. (Also see: Information for Authors)

1.1 Communications
For communications, pay particular attention to whether the manuscript illustrates novelty and the level of urgency for publication.

1.2 Papers and Short Papers
When assessing a paper, novelty of the research, the accuracy and detail of the experiment should be considered.

1.3 Reviews
For review papers, consider the content of the manuscript, and if it fulfills the demands of specialists in the field, providing the most recent information. Also, whether the discussion is sufficient, and not just a rearrangement of previously reported data.

2. Adjudication of disagreements
Two referees will be asked to examine the manuscript, however, in the case of notable discrepancy between the referees’ decision, the Editor will make the final decision of publication. The Editor also may appoint a third referee (of whom specializes in the field) to give an opinion.

3. Suggestion of Alternative referees
If the manuscript appointed for assessment is not of the Referee's specialized field, or another specialized referee is available to assess the manuscript, the referee should inform the Editor. If the content of the manuscript is either competitive to the referee’s research or very closely related, the referee may recommend a substitute referee.

4. Anonymity and Confidential
The anonymity of the referees is strictly preserved from the authors, and the referee should in no circumstances contact the author. The content of the manuscript should be treated as confidential material and not be exposed until publication.

5. Speed of refereeing
The referee is requested to assess the manuscript and submit the Referee Report Form with minimum delay and within the specified time. Due to the referee's circumstances if this is not feasible, the referee must inform the Editor immediately.

6. Review Submission
Please refer to the Referee Report Form that can be obtained from the HETERESOURCE website to assess the submitted manuscript.

7. Correction and Revision of the manuscript
The correction of words, figures and structural formulae, etc. should be made in directly to the manuscript in red pen, and the corrected manuscript should be scanned and uploaded in a PDF file with the Referee Report Form.

8. Revised Manuscript
Revision of the manuscript will be made based on the Referees’ report and corrected manuscript, which will be informed to the author through the Editor.